Akan-ko 阿寒湖

Lake Akan / Akan-See

part of “Akan Mashû National Park”

Lake Akan is located in Kushiro City of eastern Hokkaido. Born from a volcanic eruption in the Akan caldera around 158 years ago, it was designated as “Akan Mashû National Park”, together with the neighboring Lakes Kussharo, Mashû and Onneto. Lake Akan is home to marimo, a rare algae species that forms itself into beautiful green balls. The lakeside hot spring resort of Akankohan is the only town around the lake. Ainu Kotan is a small Ainu village in Akankohan, which is basically a street lined by souvenir shops specializing in Ainu handicrafts. Two mountains near Lake Akan compliment the scenery: Oakan (“male mountain”) and Meakan (“female Mountain”).